Attachment for electric fans



Aug. 11, 1936. E WA L 2,050,773

ATTACHMENT FORELECTRIC FANS Filed Dec. 19, 1955 Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTRIC FANS James Edgar Wall, Tampa, Fla.

Application December 19, 1935, Serial No. 55,274

2 Claims. (01. 261-96) This invention relates to a simple and unique accessory in the nature of an attachment for a conventional oscillating or similar electric fan, said attachment being designed to hold a saturated sponge or equivalent element in the path of circulation of the air currents.

The purpose of the invention is to provide an attachment designed to utilize the swirling air currents from the fan to temporarily condition the air within the room or the enclosure. In some instances the sponge may be perfumed to give the air in the room a fragrant odor, or the sponge may be simply wet with water for cooling purposes.

My primary aim is to provide a structurally distinct and peculiarly apt fan accessory of this type wherein any suitable wad, pad or equivalent absorbent member may be utilized to be saturated either with a disinfectant, deodorant or other preparation depending on the results desired.

Other features and avantages will become readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a side view of a conventional oscillating electric motor driven fan showing the unique attachment applied to the front section of the cage or guard thereof.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section taken approximately on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective showing of the attachment per se with the sponge removed.

Referring now to the drawing and first to Figure 1 it will be observed that the numeral 4 designates a conventional electric motor driven fan, for example, of the oscillatory type used in homes, ofiices and elsewhere. The fan proper is indicated at 5 and is contained, as is customary, in an open work cage 6. The cage is generally provided with a disc name or trade-mark plate 1. It is to this part I that the attachment 8 is temporarily connected when it is desired to put it 45 into use. The attachment is preferably constructed from two or more lengths of wire. The

intermediate portions of the wires are twisted around each other to form a spiral twisted shank or stem 9. This serves as a suitable reach arm 50 and is designed to space the sponge or equivalent absorbent wad ID from the cage 6. At one end of the structure is provided a substantially triangular down bent or inclined stabilizing brace or foot I i. Above this the wires are formed into diverging element l2 terminating in laterally bent ends I3 which define resilient hooks to releasably engage over the edge or marginal portion of the stock disc 'i as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The opposite ends of the wires which go to make up the structure are formed into a multiple finger claw unit. This may be said to comprise a series of radiating diverging fingers l4 having their inner end portions bent as in [5 into substantial parallelism with the stem or shank 9 and having their free ends terminating in suitable spurs for grips I6. These can be embedded in the pores of the sponge or other article used as the liquid solution carrier. I have found it expedient and practical to use the conventional marketed sponges. It is evident, however, that a wad of cotton or similar absorbent padding may be used. By simply saturating it with an appropriate liquid, the air coming from the rotating fan, which has requisite aifinity for the liquid, will take up the moisture and sweep it into the room to permeate the air of said room. As before indicated the sponge can be employed as a medicament carrier or holder, can be used for deodorizing purposes or as a container for a highly fragrant perfume. It may be saturated without drenching and will suflice. It is not necessary to use any of the aforesaid liquid agents since ordinary water may be employed, especially if the invention is merely used as a miniature air conditioner for room cooling purposes.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawing. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. An attachment of the class described comprising an elongated shank, a pair of diverging hooked fingers at the inner end of the shank, an underlying cooperating stabilizing frame member cooperable with said fingers, and means at the opposite end of the shank to accommodate a sponge or the like, said means comprising a plurality of diverging grips terminating in terminals directed inwardly toward each other to accommodate a sponge or the like.

2. As a new article of manufacture, an all wire attachment of the class described formed from a plurality of companion wires twisted together intermediate their ends to form a longitudinal shank, said wires being bent at corresponding ends to provide a pair of duplicate diverging hooked fingers, and a complemental substantially triangular supporting and bracing member, and being bent at opposite ends to form a multiple element sponge gripping and holding device.

JAMES EDGAR WALL. 

